Ezekiel - Chapter-23

Chapter Summary

Parable of Aholah and Aholibah. Sentence passed upon Judah.

According to the analogy, why would Israel long for the things of Egypt?
Why are Samaria and Jerusalem compared to prostitutes? What do they desire besides God, and why?
According to the passage, why did Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem) lust after Assyria?
What does the prostitute analogy teach us about God’s relationship with his people?
What idols exist in our own culture that pull our hearts away from God? What makes their appeal so powerful? Why do we still struggle with them?
What is the significance of Egypt in this chapter? What took place there? Why does Israel remember it "with longing"? (NIV)
Why does God describe himself as jealous (verse 25)? What does he want from his people? What does this teach us about God's intention for relationship?
What is the meaning of the cup in verses 31-34? Where else in Scripture do you see similar illustrations of a cup for punishment? What are a few things this image communicates about the nature of God's judgment?
How does God plan to show Jerusalem and Samaria the true consequences of their idolatry? What are some of the reasons that you think his punishment is so severe?
What purpose does God state this judgment will serve (as seen at the end of the chapter)? What does this tell us about the heart issue of Jerusalem and Samaria’s sin?